Offering community-defined alternatives for health and wellbeing

Youth Empowerment Programs

Support and guidance to referred middle and high school youth, based on the philosophy that youth need other adults, their family, and community to care for, assist, heal, guide, and successfully prepare them for adulthood.

GUIAS (Guiding and Understanding Individuals in Achieving Success) is a comprehensive youth support and development program that supports and guides young people, based on the philosophy that youth need other adults, their family, and community to care for, assist, heal, guide, and successfully prepare them for adulthood. The rites of passage program is to promote healthy peer relationships, build self-esteem, social skills, and prepare each student to achieve success. Referred middle school and high school youth will learn and practice asset based thinking, how to verbalize and express themselves with words not violence, and the importance of their familial and community connections. Youth will also learn about life skills, from cooking and employment readiness, and culture through hands-on art activities and ‘convivios’ or fellowship celebrations. 

Gender and culturally sensitive curriculum Xinachtli, and El Joven Noble support and guide youth while focusing on positive behaviors, positive choices, and school success. This year-round strength-based program emphasizes the prevention of substance use, positive character development, and leadership creates a safe place to discuss and learn about positive cultural connections, life skills, and character development in a gender sensitive manner. Ultimately, the entire program attempts to recreate a positive familia/community or extended kinship network that will allow our youth to develop to their fullest potential.

Weekly support groups in school and after-school programs are offered in San Benito County.

Self-refer or refer a youth by completing this referral form for an Outreach Specialist to contact you with enrollment information. For other questions, contact our Program Manager:

• Lorena Villagomez, Youth Support Services, Program Manager

  • (831) 265-1243

  • Lorena@youthall.org

  • Hablo Español

GUIAS is the first step to change. Learn how program graduates and their families can continue to GROW by leading the advocacy and policy movement towards Education + Justice + Leadership.

Ollin – a term from the Nahuatl language meaning movement – fosters healthy living, drug and alcohol awareness, and increase youths’ mobility and creativity to be agents for change. 

Ollin (Organizing Leaders to Learn, Inform, and Nurture) supports and guides youth while focusing on positive behaviors, positive choices, and school success. This year-round strength-based program emphasizes the prevention of substance use, positive character development, and leadership. Ollin’s purpose is to raise awareness of the dangers of drugs and alcohol and to foster healthy living in order to increase youths’ mobility and creativity. This allows the youth to become agents for change in their own lives and communities. 

Participants must be between the ages of 13 to 18 and reside within the South County (Morgan Hill, San Martin, Gilroy). Middle Schools and High Schools in Gilroy and Morgan Hill refer students or students and parents can self refer. 

For more information contact:

• Lillian Silva, Case Manager & Lead Community Outreach Specialist

  • (831) 537-3566

  • Lillian@youthall.org

• Armando Gonzalez, Community Outreach Specialist

  • (831) 665-5813

  • Armando@youthall.org

OLLIN, XINACHTLI, and EL JOVEN NOBLE are the first step to change. Learn how program graduates and their families can continue to GROW by leading the advocacy and policy movement towards Education + Justice + Leadership.

Youth Support Programs

Encouraging the strength, resilience and culture of all children, adolescents, and families in the community through counseling.

The CAMINOS program provides brief and effective therapeutic services to children up to age 17 exhibiting emotional distress or behavioral challenges that interfere with their ability to function in school, home, or socially. 

In a system of care, students and families are connected with needed services, referred out appropriately, and advocated for as needed. Bilingual (Spanish/English) services are provided based on needs and free to all San Benito County youth. Case Management services provide observations, assessments, evaluations, service plans, and home visits. Counseling services are provided at San Benito County school sites, Youth Alliance's Youth Impact Center and in-home based on need. 

After completion, CAMINOS assists participants in building skills to support their mental health, including additional resources within their community.

In partnership with San Jose State University and California State University, Monterey Bay, we offer a BASW and MSW internship placement program.

Referring school personnel, parents, or others can complete a Mental Health Screening Tool (MHST) for the appropriate age. The Mental Health Screening Tool is used to assist education and care providers in the community to recognize early signs and symptoms of mental health problem behaviors. Outreach, training and follow-up is provided county wide. The forms can be downloaded below:

• MHST Youth Ages 6 to 17 English | Español

• MHST Children Ages 0 to 5 English | Español

Submit the completed MHST form in person to the Youth Alliance office or fax to (831) 636-2850. A Case Manager will review the referral and return a Provider Response Form to notify the referring person of service status. 

For more information about CAMINOS, please contact YA’s Clinical Director/Therapist at (831) 664-6776 or the YA office at (831) 636-2853.

Support for youth transitioning from incarceration into adulthood.

GANAS (Guidance And Navigation to Achieve Success) is a culturally rooted and strength based program that works with youth transitioning from incarceration and custody to adulthood. Youth are welcomed into a non-judgmental space to receive mentorship, guidance, and support, including: 

• Intensive case management, Child and Family Team meetings (CFT), referrals to supportive counseling or treatment, family meetings, and advocacy.

• Positive Youth Development including educational support groups (with curriculum from El Joven Noble, Xinachtli, Ollin, Life Skills), Restorative Justice Circles, and resources that support self-determination and empowerment.

• Community Building activities to support belonging and kinship to further connect with their community.

Referrals are only accepted through the San Benito County Probation Department.

For more information contact:

• Gabriela Ayala, GANAS Case Manager

• (831) 524-9747

• Gabriela@youthall.org

• Hablo Español

GANAS is the first step to change. Learn how program graduates and their families can continue to GROW by leading the advocacy and policy movement towards Education + Justice + Leadership.

One youth, one path: encouraging unhoused youth for equal partnership in a wellness plan that meets their needs and contributes to achieving their aspirations.

The AVENIDA (Avenue) Program for unhoused individuals between the ages of 18 to 24 builds upon our expertise in outreach, engagement skills, and cultural perspectives of the youth in the local community. Youth Alliance identifies community resources and leverages existing partnerships to provide immediate basic needs and longer-term supportive services for homeless youth throughout San Benito County. Participants are involved at the core of the treatment and case management decision-making process; they are viewed as the best experts, working in partnership with YA’s AVENIDA Team, for succeeding in their care and housing stability.

Program members enrolled in AVENIDA participate in the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) Project. Please read the English HMIS Privacy Notice, Español, Tiếng Việt. Learn more about our partner at The Coalition of Homeless Service Providers.

For a registration form and details on eligibility, please contact:

• Jennifer Garcia, AVENIDA Case Manager

  • (831) 636-2853 Ext 12

  • jennifer@youthall.org

AVENIDA (Avenue) is the first step to change. Learn how program graduates and their families can continue to GROW by leading the advocacy and policy movement towards Education + Justice + Leadership.

In collaboration between Restorative Justice Specialists, Community Liaisons and Youth Leaders we support students by creating a strong school culture, and delivering after school programs.

Restorative Justice and Healing Schools Model is offered at San Benito County Alternative Education sites, including San Andreas Continuation School, Santa Ana Opportunity School, Pinnacles Community School, and Juvenile Hall. With support from restorative justice trained staff, student leaders work with their peers, parents, and the community to create strong school culture, student supports, and after school programs.

The Healing Schools Model includes training in the “Circles of Responsibilities and Supports” intervention for high promise students at risk of school failure and in need of a restorative and strengths-based approach.

Peer Mentorship/Youth Development

Knights Council is composed of students who have been nominated by their peers to help improve school climate through the use of restorative practices like circle keeping, peer counseling and service learning. Youth engage in the circle process, learning how to design and facilitate community building circles with peer mentors, followed by co-facilitating circles in their respective classes.

For more information contact: 

• Rigo Jimenez, Associate Director, Education & Justice

  • (408) 461-8706

  • rigo@youthall.org

  • Hablo Español

• Marisol Palomares, School Community Liaison

  • (408) 337-6906

  • marisolp@youthall.org

  • Hablo Español

The Restorative Justice & Healing Schools Model is the first step to change. Learn how program graduates and their families can continue to GROW by leading the advocacy and policy movement towards Education + Justice + Leadership.

Family Support Programs

Youth Alliance offers multiple Parent/Caregiver Education Services for supporting families with a variety of needs regarding the healthy development of children and teens.

Youth Alliance offers multiple Parent Education Services for referred families with a variety of needs regarding the healthy development of children and teens. These services focus on enhancing parenting practices and behaviors that will best support all youth and families. YA believes in utilizing research-based practices that develop positive discipline techniques while offering holistic support to families in need throughout San Benito County. The following programs and resources are available to all families in order to support and strengthen parenting skills that will encourage healing and positive outcomes for children, youth and families.

The Parent Project is a nationally recognized, evidence based parenting skills workshop for the parents of adolescents. Workshop curriculum is focused on changing destructive adolescent behavior and increasing positive family experiences. The Parent Project workshop addresses truancy, school performance, social media, substance use, violence, establishing rules and ways to reconnect and show love. Parents can share real concerns and learn from other families’ experiences within a safe space. Support after sessions are offered for in depth skill development to address particular needs. Certificate of completion is provided.

Referred or if interested please contact:

• Jeanette Neal, Parent Education Coordinator

• (831) 673-9963

• jeanette@youthall.org

• Hablo Español

The Parent Project manuals are provided at no cost to the participant. 

The Parent Project is the first step to change. Learn how program graduates and their families can continue to GROW by leading the advocacy and policy movement towards Education + Justice + Leadership.

Choices uses the Wellness Recovery Action Planning (WRAP curriculum) is an evidence-based practice for adults and parents that is recognized by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA). This group supports the development of self-care practices that help to manage life’s stressors and address triggers. Choices supports planning and achieving goals that can improve the quality of one’s life. Participants in this group can address recovery, parental stress, barriers to reaching one’s goals, or to create positive and healthy habits.

Referred or if interested please contact:

• Jeanette Neal, Parent Education Coordinator

• (831) 673-9963

• jeanette@youthall.org

• Hablo Español

Choices is the first step to change. Learn how program graduates and their families can continue to GROW by leading the advocacy and policy movement towards Education + Justice + Leadership.

Cara y Corazón/Face and Heart (CYC) is a family strengthening education experience for parents that is based on the belief that every culture, community, family and parent has the resiliency to build positive, healthy relationships with their children and themselves. This group offers family healing through the exploration of cultural values and the curriculum empowers parents to identify and utilize their own family strengths and traditions as a way to influence their children and guide their direction in life.

CYC is open to the community. If interested, please contact:

• Lorena Villagomez, Youth Support Services, Program Manager

• (831) 265-1243

• Lorena@youthall.org

• Hablo Español

Workshops are in Spanish and English. 

Cara y Corazón/Face and Heart (CYC) is the first step to change. Learn how program graduates and their families can continue to GROW by leading the advocacy and policy movement towards Education + Justice + Leadership.

Fathers And Mothers Learning Achieving (FAMiLiA) is designed to support teen mothers and fathers.

FAMiLiA (Fathers And Mothers Learning and Achieving) is a culturally and developmentally appropriate program serving pregnant or parenting adolescents (ages 14-21). The program supports young mothers and fathers so they complete high school or their educational goals, increase their parenting skills, maintain their family size, and give a healthy start to their infants and toddlers.

Please complete this interest form.

For more information contact:

• Jeanette Neal, Parent Education Coordinator 

• (831) 673-9963

• jeanette@youthall.org

• Hablo Español

FAMiLiA is the first step to change. Learn how program graduates and their families can continue to GROW by leading the advocacy and policy movement towards Education + Justice + Leadership.

Community Health + Wellness Initiatives

Youth Alliance views Community Health and Wellness as an honor and blessing that brings forth holistic and communal support grounded in the dignity of our collective cultures and stories.

Youth Alliance is guided by the love and courage of our youth and parents, as they are the drivers of communal wellness and change. We do this by engaging in initiatives that support our youth and community with dignity and justice, like vaccination and census campaigns.

Our Healing and Restoring Together initiative centers on the following: 

1. Healing schools and communities through a community schools lens.

2. Healthy and equitable communities for youth and parents.

3. Addressing the over-incarceration of Latine youth and girls, substance use prevention, redirecting public resources to those most impacted, a safe place to learn and grow.

4. Equitable access to housing, food, counseling, and employment. 

5. Redirecting public resources to those most impacted, parent rights.

Complete the interest form

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